Andrew M Brown is the Telegraph's obituaries editor.

The appalling health hazards of uni, by The Guardian

Today The Guardian devotes an entire page in its health section to listing essential tips for those starting out on their university careers.

News flash: dirty dishes are unhygienic!

It is all too clear that most of the health problems that arise stem from the dissolute living and general dirtiness of young people. “All-night drinking, poor diet and lax hygiene standards turn halls of residences [sic] and shared housing into vast Petri-dishes incubating disease,” cautions Penny Anderson. And that’s only the beginning.

Inadequate hand-washing is a particular menace. It can lead to “food poisoning and tummy bugs” so “prevent spreading germs by washing hands often”, Penny says, and try not to share filthy towels and dishcloths. If standard measures prove unavailing, “accommodation services can assist in sorting out cleaning disputes”, according to Kathryn Ramsden, who is head of student well-being at Salford University.

Also, youngsters far from home should watch out for chilblains. These “small, irritating spots” can be treated with calamine lotion, but be careful not to stand in the kebab queue for too long on winter nights, the newspaper advises.

For alcoholism – primary symptom: “alcohol dependence” – the first line of treatment is “cut down alcohol intake”. What a useful insight that is.

How would we survive without The Guardian? Thank goodness there’s at least one newspaper that sees the very real dangers threatening the well-being of our students.